Southern Colorado: Top Things to Do!
Southern Colorado: Your Guide
Explore the most beautiful part of Colorado
Great Sand Dunes
Sink into the highest mountains of sand in North America. Nestled in a spot where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains buckle inward, the dunes within the borders of Great Sand Dunes National Park have been building and sifting for eons — the result of the San Luis Valley's unique wind patterns.
If you want to dive into the wonderment, be sure to grab a sandboard and hit the slopes! Sandboarding not your thing? Check out the following top trails:
- High Dune Trail - This was crazy hard hike but it is so worth it. Be sure to get there early because parking is very limited. Remember to dig your toes in when going up the dunes. Makes it easier not to sink in the sand. Highly recommend hiking barefoot or wearing shoes that are easy to remove as you will have to walk through a bit of water.
- Sand Dune Loop Trail - Challenging but worth it. Fun jumping down the dunes at the end. There is a small creek that you have to pass to get to the dunes. You can either park at the visitor center or in the parking lot closer to the dunes. This “trail” is essentially a free for all and you can just blaze your own trail. It was amazing! Such a calf buster when climbing the dune, but worth it.
- Dunes Overlook Trail - This trail is short but has a bit of a challenge to it. We thought we'd watch the sunset but there were too many loose rocks to feel comfortable going back in the dark. The views are definitely worth seeing! If you can, go in the late afternoon or early morning when you'll get some cool shadows on the dunes. Lots of awesome twisty juniper and pinyon trees as well!
A sandbox of epic proportions, the entire dune field encompasses 30 square miles and the tallest dune towers 750 feet high. The kid in every visitor loves to sled down the sand year-round and plunge into the soft-sand tracks of those who climbed ahead of them. Aside from the dunes, you'll find picnicking, hiking and camping opportunities, the challenging four-wheel scenic drive on Medano Pass, and the mysteriously appearing and disappearing Medano Creek.The park's elevation (8,200 feet) and rural location make it a favorite with dark-sky-loving stargazers, and it even offers special astronomy programs many evenings.
Pagosa Springs
Drive west and reach the quaint town of Pagosa Springs. Pagosa Springs teems with endless blue skies and opportunities to frolic in the Colorado outdoors. Surrounded by 2.5 million acres of wilderness and national forest areas, Pagosa is blessed with more than 650 miles of trails, waterfall hikes, world-class fishing, hot springs and more. A few things to do include:
- Paddle, float, tube and play in the San Juan River - A number of whitewater features make this downtown stretch of the San Juan River very exciting. It’s also known as the Pagosa Springs Whitewater Park.
- Soak in the warm waters of Nathan's Hippy Dip Hot Spring for free - A highlight of my trip to Pagosa Springs was watching the sunrise from these free hot springs. Different pools to choose from with varying degrees of water. The riverfront area was clean, well maintained, felt safe and had free parking surrounding it. I visited the Springs two days in a row. Make sure to go from the hot spring to the cool river for the full effect!!
- Hike to and soak in Rainbow Hot Springs - Embedded within the Weminuche Wilderness, a collection of three hot springs, called the Rainbow Hot Springs, lie along the San Juan River, offering one of the best scenic backdrops of any hot springs in the state. Climbing 1,500 feet, the 6-mile trail leads to a colorful rushing waterfall where the most popular hot springs pool is found, with two more bubbling pools found a quarter of a mile further up the trail amongst a mountain meadow.
Durango
Durango, Colorado is the vacation destination for every kind of adventure. Outdoor sports and adventure, along with cultural attractions and history, make Durango one of the best places to visit in Colorado, for all types of travelers
Top things to do in Durango:
- Explore historic downtown Durango - visit the cutest shops you can imagine and find delicious eats all throughout the streets. Take a stroll down Historic Main Avenue and savor the view of the mountains and feel the heritage still alive in the historic buildings.
Take the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad - This train ride is likely going to far exceed your expectations. With old restored carriages pulled along by an authentic coal-fired steam engine through a breathtaking narrow mountain canyon, this trip has all the makings of a romance novel. The train cruises alongside the Animas River much of the way, as the mountains towering above become more imposing as you make your way from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton.- Raft Down the Animas River - Rafting down the Animas River in Durango is a fun way to spend a spring day. The river has class 1-to 5 rapids; the lower Animas River has the smaller and easier rapids, the Upper Animas River has the more intense and difficult ones. Various options are available depending on how far you want to go, how large a raft you'd like, and how much you are willing to pay.
Mesa Verde National Monument 
One of the most impressive Native American sites in the Southwest is found at Mesa Verde National Park, a little over an hour away from Durango.
The native settlement here was at its peak between 800 and 1,000 years ago, and the ruins can be found all over the mesa. These extensive cliff dwellings, built under huge overhanging rocks, include multi-story complexes, with ladders connecting various floors and rooms.
This wild landscape of deep canyons and expansive vistas is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth. For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 26 tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past.
Explore: - Park Point: A short walk to the highest point in the park, at 8,572 feet and spectacular views across the Four Corners Region.
- Spruce Tree House: Overlooks offer views of the park’s best-preserved cliff dwelling.
- Far View Sites: An easy ¾-mile walk through pinyon-juniper forest connects a community of mesa-top farming villages and an ancient reservoir.
- Cliff Palace Loop Road: A 6-mile drive with overlooks of cliff dwellings and access to the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail.
- Mesa Top Loop Road: A 6-mile driving tour through 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history including excavated mesa-top villages and overlooks of cliff dwellings.
- Cliff Palace: The largest cliff dwelling in North America can be viewed from the Cliff Palace Overlook on the Cliff Palace Loop and from Sun Temple on the Mesa Top Loop.
Silverton
Though a really tiny town (population under 1000!) , Silverton not only has its rich history but has its fair share of visitors. Wedged in Colorado’s southern San Juan Mountains, the city’s roots may be in mining, but today its draw is mostly in adventure and heritage tourism. It’s the gateway to surrounding activities, like skiing, hiking and ATVing. But, the town itself has remained true to its authentic and old charm, rather than rounding its curves for the tourists.
- Stop by Honeyville to explore how honey is made and grab a delicious treat
- Stop by Molas lake and take in all the breath-taking sights
- Explore downtown and all the small businesses and boutiques it has to offer
- Grab pizza and a beer at Avalanche Brewing Company
- Go on a mine tour with Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour!
Ridgeway - Orvis Hot Springs
A must stop along your way North! Orvis Hot Springs has long been a sacred place of healing for the Tabeguache band of the Utes, who lived in the Uncompahgre River valley before Mexican and European settlement. Led by famed Ute Chief Ouray, the namesake of Ouray County, the Tabeguache soaked in the hot springs to receive its calming affects and curative powers. Today, these natural hot springs continue to offer therapeutic results to all who seek relaxation and rejuvenation.
The hot springs have seven main naturally-occurring minerals with various health benefits. The waters are most famous for their lithium content, highly sought after due to its soothing effects that naturally melt away stress and anxiety. A soak in Orvis Hot Springs can reduce the effects of conditions such as arthritis and eczema, by improving the function of many of the body’s vital systems. Scientific evidence shows that the combination of the heat and minerals in hot springs improve blood circulation, relax tense muscles, relieve pain, and promote peaceful sleep.
A very communal experience. Orvis is clothing optional and most folks take advantage to experience the freedom and normalizing body positive aspect that is provided.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Paddle, float, tube and play in the San Juan River - A number of whitewater features make this downtown stretch of the San Juan River very exciting. It’s also known as the Pagosa Springs Whitewater Park.
- Soak in the warm waters of Nathan's Hippy Dip Hot Spring for free - A highlight of my trip to Pagosa Springs was watching the sunrise from these free hot springs. Different pools to choose from with varying degrees of water. The riverfront area was clean, well maintained, felt safe and had free parking surrounding it. I visited the Springs two days in a row. Make sure to go from the hot spring to the cool river for the full effect!!
- Hike to and soak in Rainbow Hot Springs - Embedded within the Weminuche Wilderness, a collection of three hot springs, called the Rainbow Hot Springs, lie along the San Juan River, offering one of the best scenic backdrops of any hot springs in the state. Climbing 1,500 feet, the 6-mile trail leads to a colorful rushing waterfall where the most popular hot springs pool is found, with two more bubbling pools found a quarter of a mile further up the trail amongst a mountain meadow.
Durango, Colorado is the vacation destination for every kind of adventure. Outdoor sports and adventure, along with cultural attractions and history, make Durango one of the best places to visit in Colorado, for all types of travelers- Explore historic downtown Durango - visit the cutest shops you can imagine and find delicious eats all throughout the streets. Take a stroll down Historic Main Avenue and savor the view of the mountains and feel the heritage still alive in the historic buildings.
- Take the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad - This train ride is likely going to far exceed your expectations. With old restored carriages pulled along by an authentic coal-fired steam engine through a breathtaking narrow mountain canyon, this trip has all the makings of a romance novel. The train cruises alongside the Animas River much of the way, as the mountains towering above become more imposing as you make your way from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton.
- Raft Down the Animas River - Rafting down the Animas River in Durango is a fun way to spend a spring day. The river has class 1-to 5 rapids; the lower Animas River has the smaller and easier rapids, the Upper Animas River has the more intense and difficult ones. Various options are available depending on how far you want to go, how large a raft you'd like, and how much you are willing to pay.
One of the most impressive Native American sites in the Southwest is found at Mesa Verde National Park, a little over an hour away from Durango.
The native settlement here was at its peak between 800 and 1,000 years ago, and the ruins can be found all over the mesa. These extensive cliff dwellings, built under huge overhanging rocks, include multi-story complexes, with ladders connecting various floors and rooms.
This wild landscape of deep canyons and expansive vistas is home to over a thousand species, including several that live nowhere else on earth. For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 26 tribes and offers visitors a spectacular window into the past.
Explore:
- Park Point: A short walk to the highest point in the park, at 8,572 feet and spectacular views across the Four Corners Region.
- Spruce Tree House: Overlooks offer views of the park’s best-preserved cliff dwelling.
- Far View Sites: An easy ¾-mile walk through pinyon-juniper forest connects a community of mesa-top farming villages and an ancient reservoir.
- Cliff Palace Loop Road: A 6-mile drive with overlooks of cliff dwellings and access to the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail.
- Mesa Top Loop Road: A 6-mile driving tour through 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history including excavated mesa-top villages and overlooks of cliff dwellings.
- Cliff Palace: The largest cliff dwelling in North America can be viewed from the Cliff Palace Overlook on the Cliff Palace Loop and from Sun Temple on the Mesa Top Loop.
- Stop by Honeyville to explore how honey is made and grab a delicious treat
- Stop by Molas lake and take in all the breath-taking sights
- Explore downtown and all the small businesses and boutiques it has to offer
- Grab pizza and a beer at Avalanche Brewing Company
- Go on a mine tour with Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour!
Deep, Steep and Narrow: Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, Black Canyon of the Gunnison exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.
- Hiking - Rim Rock Nature Trail, Warner Point Nature Trail, and Chasm View Nature Trail,
- Scenic Drives - South Rim Road, North Rim Road, and East Portal Road
- Wildlife watching - Black Canyon is a great place to go to observe mammals in their native and wild habitat. Wild animals are an important and vital part of our natural ecosystem. We humans can learn a great deal by carefully observing animals.
Known as the Centennial State, Colorado is a hub of impressive and jaw-dropping diversity with its set of natural attractions.
From high and mighty mountains, to dramatically low valleys and ridges, and the forests and lakes in-between—this state is oozing with immersive experiences and encounters with nature.
